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Mai had known she was different from a very young age, but it had taken her longer to put those differences into words. Every day she realized that there was yet another way she looked at the world differently than the people around her.
It had been alienating when she was younger. Most kids had been off put by her demeanor and had kept their distance. It had left Mai particularly surprised when Princess Azula singled her out as a friend. She’d realized later that she shouldn’t have been surprised. Azula didn’t care about her personality, only her skills with a knife. At first, Mai had been happy enough with that, but over time, she’d grown disappointed in only being a tool.
Thankfully, by the time the shine of being the princess’ favorite had worn off, she’d had Ty Lee. Ty Lee who had been chosen as one of Azula’s companions for the same reason Mai had, though their personalities were entirely unalike. Mai often marveled about how Ty Lee was different from everyone else too, even if it was different than the ways that Mai was.
Ty Lee wasn’t friends with Mai because she could throw a knife. Despite being thrown together like Azula and despite the countless people who loved her, Ty Lee had grown fond of Mai more than anyone else. Somehow, they understood each other, or in the times that they didn’t, they at least tried to. Mai had never had that before.
Mai turned to her partner, feeling a sudden surge of fondness and love. They weren’t doing anything other than eating dinner. Ty Lee was smiling as she chewed happily.
“Thank you for always accepting me,” Mai said, her cheeks warming at the sudden intimacy.
Ty Lee looked up from her plate, blinking her wide gray eyes as she processed the sudden compliment. She smiled slightly and shook her head. Leaning across the table, she pressed a kiss to Mai’s lips. “Of course. I never would have had it any other way.”